How to Stop Being Late to Everything

Four steps to punctuality.

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Aug 02, 2014

Always running late? Have hope! Your constant lateness doesn’t have to ruin your life, or more importantly, the lives of your loved ones. For our August issue, writer Sarah Elizabeth Richards examines the root of her tardiness problem in her article “Blame It On: Yourself.” Richards consults several experts on best time management practices, among them, Diana DeLonzor, author of Never Be Late Again: 7 Cures for the Punctually Challenged. Below DeLonzor shares additional tips for overcoming lateness and a special set of how-tos for the poor souls eternally waiting on them. (Hint: It involves a good ol’ white lie.)

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1. Pay attention when you’re late. Each time you are late, take a few minutes to analyze what went wrong and what you could do differently in the future. Continue analyzing and tweaking your behavior and actions every day until you succeed.

2. Stop split-second timing. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Many late people have an aversion to waiting, so they try to time their arrivals to the minute. If the drive to work takes 20 minutes and it’s 22 minutes before 9:00, rather than leave the house, they'll procrastinate until exactly 8:40. This kind of split-second time management rarely works out. Remember this: If you plan to be on time, you'll be late. If you plan to be early, chances are you'll arrive right on time.

3. Always have a daily plan. Each morning, jot down your activities, with start and end time estimates next to each item. Start with the most important item first thing in the morning when your energy level is high. Having a written itinerary helps you to see what you actually do and do not have time for. Use computer alarms and timers to keep you on track.

4. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Before you sleep, lay out your clothes and put your purse by the front door. Always keep items that frequently get lost— such as keys, homework, cell phones, glasses —in the same spot.

And if you always find yourself waiting for late people…

1. Be proactive. Take a cue from doctors, dentists, and hairstylists, and call your late friends before you meet and ask if they’re running on time.

2. Dish out the tough love. Tell the late person that they’re inconveniencing you and that you feel disrespected. Agree that you'll wait 15 minutes before leaving, or that the late person will spring for dinner if they keep you waiting more than 10 minutes.

3. Employ the old standby of lying about the time you'll meet. If dinner is at 7:30, tell your late person 7:00.

4. And finally, don’t take it personally. It’s not about you! Most late people are late for everything. And it’s a surprisingly difficult habit to overcome that takes dedication, practice, and obviously, time.